Parks & Wildlife Commission of the Northern TerritoryNitmiluk National Park Katherine Regional OfficePh: (08) 8972 1886 32 Giles St PO Box 344, KATHERINE NT 0851www.parksandwildlife.nt.gov.au Ph: (08) 8973 8888 Email: parks.desk@nitmiluktours.com.au

For more information see our website: www.parksandwildlife.nt.gov.au

D/03/2015PWCNT Information Sheet

Your adventure on the 62 km Jatbula Trail will be highlighted by stunning scenery, waterfalls and Jawoyn rock art.The Trail follows the route travelled by generations of Jawoyn people between the Gorge and Leliyn. It is named for Peter Jatbula, a man who was instrumental in securing land rights for his people and who walked this route with his family. Members of Peter Jatbula’s family still live in the area today and continue to help look after country. Today you can enjoy the Trail as a five or six day walk. It is only marked in one direction, from Katherine Gorge to Leliyn (Edith Falls). The Trail is best done in the cooler months between June and August. The Jatbula Trail may be closed during the wet season, when seasonal conditions may pose a risk to public safety. The climate, terrain and length of the Jatbula Trail make it challenging. You really need to be fit and well prepared to safely enjoy the walk.

Before you visitBookings are essential and numbers are restricted so please book your walk well in advance. For bookings and enquiries for departures during the recommended walking season, between June 1 to September 30, contact the Nitmiluk Visitor Centre - Parks Information Desk on (08) 8972 1886, or book on-line on the PWCNT website. This Information Sheet can help you prepare for your walk and provides a basic map and distances. More detailed publications are available on the Parks website.

Permits and FeesAll walkers must obtain a permit at the Nitmiluk Visitor Centre - Parks Information Desk before starting (between 8am and 1pm). If you would like an early start, perhaps consider obtaining your permit the day before to enable you to catch the early ferry. Camping fees of $3.30 per person per night apply - paid prior when you book on-line - credit card required.Ferry ServiceThe walk starts on the eastern side of 17 Mile Creek. A ferry ride across the river needs to be booked with Nitmiluk Tours and costs $7.00 per person.

Getting back to the startBecause the trail is one-way, you need to make arrangements for transport to the start of the walk at the Gorge; and from Leliyn back to the Gorge.

The Jatbula experienceThe Jatbula Trail is a unique cultural and wilderness experience. The Jawoyn people and the Parks and Wildlife Commission are working together to provide visitors with an opportunity to walk through ancient natural and cultural landscapes.

Please respect Jawoyn culture and the natural environment by minimising your impact as you walk along the Jatbula Trail.

Nitmiluk National Park Jatbula Trail

Safety & EmergencyNotify a reliable person of your intended start and finish dates.Emergency Call Devices (ECDs) are located along the trail at various locations. ECDs are for:

• contacting a Ranger in an emergency

Trail ConditionsThere is no formed path and trail conditions vary from rocky with creek crossings, to flat sections with swampy areas.The Trail is marked by blue triangles, usually located every 20-50 metres. Intersections are marked by sign posts. At times the markers may be difficult to find - if you have walked for five minutes without seeing a blue triangle marker, go back to the last marker and find the next marker. Be aware that worn paths through the bush may be animal tracks rather than the Trail.Permanent creeks at Biddlecombe Cascades, Crystal Falls, 17 Mile Falls and the Edith River usually have adequate water. As there is some distance between each of these creeks you will need to carry and drink water between them. Carry three litres of water per person between refill sites.

Climate & weatherThe Jatbula Trail lies within a region with distinct wet and dry seasons. Officially the dry season is from May to October and the wet season from November to April. However, October to December is a very hot and humid time known as ‘The Build-up’ where temperatures can exceed 45oC on the escarpment. Most people complete the walk between May and August when it is cooler, however daytime temperatures can reach 40oC.

Walking in ‘the Wet’Access on the Trail varies according to seasonal conditions and management practices. For enquiries about walking the Trail between 1 October and 31 May please contact jatbula.trail@nt.gov.au

The Trail can also be closed at any time at the discretion of the Director - Northern Australian Parks.

Creek CrossingsThe Trail is not opened until creek crossings are considered safe. However, if unseasonal rain does cause water levels to rise, do not cross deep, swift-flowing creeks.

In an EmergencyThe permit system ensures that Rangers know you are on the track. In the event of severe storms or other hazardous events, Park Rangers will evacuate walkers.

Jatbula Trail

As you can see on this Jawoyn calendar, Jawoyn people recognise five seasons. The best time for walking is the cold weather season of Mapapbarr.

Please Remember• Take all rubbish with you as

bins are not provided• All cultural items and wildlife

are protected• Nets, traps and firearms are

not permitted• Camp fires are not permitted.

Fuel stoves only• Avoid using soaps and

detergent in or near waterways• Bring your own toilet paper• Bury all toilet waste at least

30 cm deep and well away from waterways

• Camp only in designated camping areas

• Respect Jawoyn people. Do not touch or vandalise rock art. Do not deface rocks or trees

For your Safety• Carry and drink plenty of

water• Wear a hat, sunscreen and

insect repellant• Wear suitable loose-fitting,

light clothing• Wear sturdy shoes or boots• Avoid strenuous activity

during the heat of the day• Notify a reliable person of

your planned departure and arrival times

• Carry a pocket knife and matches or lighter

• Carry a first aid kit.

Camping along the Jatbula TrailAll campsites along the Jatbula trail are near permanent water.

The tumbling waters of Biddlecombe Cascades reward walkers with soothing pools to sit in and cool off. The nearby campground is nice and flat, toilets are provided.

Crystal Creek above Crystal Falls is wide and deep. It’s a great place to swim and explore upstream. Toilets provided. Be aware the river crossing here can be challenging.

17 Mile Falls campground sits high above 17 Mile Creek. Toilets provided. Get to camp early so you have time to enjoy swimming and rockhopping up the creek.

Edith River Crossing marks the start of your journey along the riverine corridor of the Edith River. A good spot for a rest and a swim.

Sandy Camp Pool on the Edith River lives up to its name with the softest sandy campsite beside a nice big swimming hole. Take care when crossing the creek here, often very slippery. Toilet provided.

Overlooking Sweetwater Pool is the last campsite and swimming hole before you join the Leliyn loop walkers. Toilet provided.

Please Note • Camping is only permitted

for one night at each site along the Jatbula Trail.

• Edith Falls is not a campsite on the Jatbula Trail.

Separate camp fees apply.

Sweetwater Pool

Nitmiluk National ParkJatbula Trail

Permanent waterYou can fill up your drink bottles from creeks with permanent water, but you will need to carry and drink water between these creeks.

Checkpoints

For your safety please register your passing in the checkpoint books. This can help Rangers locate you in an emergency.

Track markers

Follow the blue triangle arrows. If you have not seen one for a few minutes, go back and look for the last one.

Leliyn(Edith Falls)

Nitmiluk Centre

Biddlecombe Cascades

Crystal Falls

17 Mile Falls

Katherine Gorge

0 10Kilometres

20

Approximate Scale

Information

LEGEND

Camping

RangerStation

Walking Track

Watercourse

To Katherine30 km

To StuartHighway 20 km

Northern Rockhole

The Amphitheatre

Edith River Crossing

Sandy Camp Pool

Edith RiverSouth

Sweetwater Pool

(19.3 km 2 days)Permanent water

(8.3 km 1 day)Permanent water

(3.8 km)Permanent water. Falls running Dec. to June

(29.3 km 3 days)Permanent waterFalls running Dec. to Aug

(41 km 4 days)Permanent water

(52.2 km 5 days)

(46.6 km 4 days)Permanent water

(57.7 km 5 days)Permanent water

No Camping

Emergency Call DeviceCheckpoint

Jawoyn Art

(62.2 km 5-6 days)

Edith River

17 Mile Creek

30

Toilets

(25.8 km)Jawoyn art inrainforest pocket

*

*

**

*

*

*

*

4.5 km

11 k

m

6.5 km

3.5 km

11.7 km

5.1

km

5.6 km

5.5 km

4.5

km

Public PhoneCard Only Swimming

No Fires

Darwi n

CaranbiriniConservationReserve

Judbarra /GregoryNational Park

Kununurra

KATHERINE

To TennantCreek

Western

Australia Q

ueen

sla

nd

To Mount Isa

Giwining /Flora RiverNature Park Borroloola

0 100 200

Kilometres

Keep RiverNational Park

Elsey National Park

Cutta Cutta Caves Nature Park

Katherine GorgeNitmiluk National Park

Leliyn (Edith Falls)

Barranyi (North Island)National Park

Green Tree FrogLitoria caerulea

Spinifex

Mertens Water MonitorVaranus mertensi

For your Safety

1. Book your place - bookings for the Trail commence on November 1 for the following year with the Trail having a maximum capacity of 15 walkers departing per day. For enquiries call (08) 8972 1886 or book on-line at the PWCNT website.

2. Book your return transfer - after completing your adventure you may require a bus transfer from Leliyn (Edith Falls) to Katherine or Nitmiluk National Park Visitor Centre.

Please contact Gecko Canoeing and Trekking on:• Phone – (08) 8972 2224• Email – gecko@nttours.com

3. Organise your ferry ride - the walk starts on the eastern side of 17 Mile Creek. A ferry ride across the Katherine River needs to be booked with Nitmiluk Tours and costs $7.00 per person.• Phone – 08 8972 1886• Email –

4. Have at least 3 litres of water per person.

5. Arrive at the Nitmiluk Visitor Centre Parks Information Desk before midday to start the walk before 1pm. Walkers cannot start after 1pm.

6. Collect your Permit at the Parks Information Desk in the Nitmiluk Visitor Centre.

7. Have a fuel stove as fires are not permitted in the Park.

Pre visit checklistBefore you start your walk, make sure you:

parks.desk@nitmiluktours.com.au